This Week at First Universalist
May 23, 2016
Please note that the Church Office will be closed Wednesday, May 25.

JAVA’s OFFICE HOURS: There will be no Java’s office hours on May 26th or June 2nd. Final Community Office Hours of the church year will be June 9th from 1:30-2:30.    Thank you.
This Week's Service
Sunday, May 29
10:30 a.m. Service -  How connected are we? 7th principle speaks of interdependent web of life of which we are a part. May we all be connected? How would that feel?  Rev. Peggy Meeker.

9:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion - Reproductive Rights.  Kate Queary, public affairs organizer for Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, will discuss the role of clergy and people of faith in advocating for laws and policies that safeguard and strengthen access to reproductive medicine.  In addition, she will give a brief overview of recent legislative activity and goals for 2016.  This is rescheduled from April 3.
Upcoming Events
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Calling All Musicians!

Our summer services will be starting on June 26th, and music for those services is provided by volunteer musicians.  Could you be one of them?  Even if you have just one piece you’ve always wanted to try to perform, we’ll make a time and place for you to do it, whatever your voice or instrument.  Please contact the summer music coordinator, Ann Rhody at annrhody@gmail.com  for more information. 

Adult Religious Education Class

Our Adult Religious Education class continues on Thursday, May 26th from 6-8 PM in the Clara Barton Lounge.  We will watch Part 2 (The Story We Tell) of California Newsreel's 3-part documentary about race in society, science, & history, to be followed by facilitated discussion and conversation.  Teens are welcome and encouraged to attend.   Please RSVP to Michelle Yates (edu@uuroc.org).  

The series will conclude with Part 3 on Thursday, June 9th from 6-8 pm.  Childcare available if requested one week in advance.

May Book Club 

The Book Club meets Sunday, May 29th at noon in the discussion room.  This month's selection is "The Garden of Evening Mists" by Tan Twan Eng. You do not need to have read the book to join us. Any questions please contact Sarah Singal (ssingal@rochester.rr.com) or Shirley Bond (bondshirl@yahoo.com).

Additional Announcements

BEGINNING MEDITATION PRACTICE:  The last practice will take place this Wednesday in the rear of the Sanctuary from 5:15 - 6:30pm.

LUUNCH BUUNCH is rescheduled for Sunday, May 29th at 12:30.  All are welcome.  We will meet at the Mt. Hope Diner,1511 Mr. Hope Avenue.  

FLOWER COMMUNION: June 5th is Flower Communion! Bring a flower (or several) to share. Plenty will be provided by the church as well. Come one, come all, to this annual service celebrating the beauty and diversity of our human community.

TRAIN FOR RAIHN*Learn how you can join other church members in helping temporarily homeless families get back on their feet. Attend a training session on Wednesday, June 8th, 6:30-8:30 PM at New Hope Free Methodist Church, 62 North Union St, Rochester. RSVP to Jen Canning,  coordinator@raihn.org or 506-9050.  Once trained, we hope you will join us in welcoming RAIHN families at First Universalist during our next RAIHN Week, July 10-17th. *Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence

ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting for First Universalist will be held Sunday, June 12th immediately following the service. All members are encouraged to attend. Friends are welcome. Key agenda items include approval for the 2016-2017 budget and elections for key positions.

ANNUAL PICNIC:  Sunday, June 19th will be the annual picnic starting around 1 pm.  The picnic will be held at the Riverbed Shelter in Genesee Valley Park.  Maps and details will be coming.  Questions, contact Karl Abbott at arl47@frontiernet.net .

NEIGHBORHOOD PILGRIMAGE UPCOMING:  A pilgrimage need not take place in a faraway holy city. On Saturday, August 20th, from 9 to noon, there will be a chance to embark on a unique walk around our own church neighborhood. Our journey will take us to nearby places “on the margins”-- spaces of human and environmental vulnerability around us. It will include prayer/ meditation, journaling, and space to process together in response to what we see.  We will be led by Deacon David Palma, of St. Mary’s Church. The walk covers a distance of about 2 miles. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Rev. Celie ( minister@uuroc.org ) by June 19th. We will take the first 10 RSVPs we receive.

MOOSEWOOD BUFFET:  The auction item “Moosewood Comes to Rochester” has been rescheduled to October 2nd. Stay tuned!
This Week's Calendar of Events

Tuesday, May 24

  • Our Outlook Production, Volunteer Office, 2 pm

Wednesday, May 25

  • Office Closed
  • Communications Committee, Volunteer Office, 1 pm
  • Beginning Meditation Practice, Sanctuary, 5:15 pm

Thursday, May 26

  • Deadline for Weekly Announcements, noon 
  • Adult RE Class, Clara Barton Lounge, 6 pm 

Saturday, May 28

  • SNYP AA, Clara Barton Lounge and Second Floor Lounge (rental), 8 pm 

Sunday, May 29

  • Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room, 9 am
  • Drop-In Discussion, Second Floor Lounge, 9:15 am
  • Sunday Service, Sanctuary, 10:30 am
  • Coffee Hour, Clara Barton Lounge, 11:45 am
  • Book Club, 2nd Floor Lounge, noon
Thank you for keeping us updated, both when you schedule events and when you need to cancel one!  Please continue to do so.  Send news of your events to office@uuroc.org; or call 546-2826.
STAFF:
Minister:   Rev. Celie Katovitch 
   
Director of Music:   Carol Xiong music@uuroc.org 

Director of Life Span Faith Development:   Michelle Yates 
edu@uuroc.org 
  
Office Administrator:  Melissa Davies office@uuroc.org
Contact Us
150 S. Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 546-2826

Office Hours:   Monday-Friday,  9:30-2:30